Bama Looks To Be Better Team

Kirk McNair

11/25/2011

Although statistics can be misleading, through 11 games of the 2011 season, Alabama has been superior to Auburn in most offensive and defensive statistics.

Alabama will be at Auburn at 2:30 p.m. Saturday when the only statistic that will matter at the end of the game is which team has the most points. Bama is 10-1 (6-1 in Southeastern Conference games) and ranked second in the nation in all polls.
The Tigers are 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the conference, but undefeated at home. CBS will televise Saturday's game.

The stakes are high for Alabama. A win and the Crimson Tide is projected to go to the BCS Championship Game in New Orleans on Jan. 9.

In scoring offense, Alabama is third in the SEC averaging 36.5 points per game and Auburn is eighth averaging 25.2. In scoring defense, the Crimson Tide leads the nation (as it does in rushing defense, passing defense, pass defense efficiency, and total defense), allowing just 8.4 points per game. The Tigers are 11th in the SEC, giving up 28.2 points per game.

Alabama is first in the conference in rushing offense at 220.5 yards per game, Auburn fifth at 183.5. In rushing defense, Bama gives up 74.6 yards per game, the Tigers allow 193.1, which ranks 10 in the conference.

In passing offense, Alabama is fourth, 216.3 yards per game, Auburn 10th, 161.7. The Tide allows 121.3 yards per game, the Tigers 213.5, which is last in the league.

In passing efficiency, Bama is fourth and Auburn seventh. In pass defense efficiency, Alabama is first and the Tigers 11th.

Alabama is second in the conference in total offense, 436.7 yards per game, Auburn eighth, 345.3 yards per game. In total defense, the Tide is first allowing 195.9 yards per game and the Tigers are 11th, giving up 406.5.

In third down conversions, Alabama is best in the league, 48.6 per cent (68-140) and Auburn is eifghth, 37.2 per cent (54-145). In third down defense, Bama leads the SEC allowing just 25.5 per cent (40-157), while the Tigers are last in the league, permitting 46.9 per cent success (75-160).

In turnover margin, Alabama is third at plus 5 and Auburn is tied for seventh at plus 1.

The Tigers have been better than the Tide in Red Zone offense. Inside the 20, Auburn has scored 86.7 per cent, third in the league, and Alabama is fifth at 86.3 per cent. Auburn has scored 26-30 times (19 touchdowns and 7-8 field goals) and Bama has scored 44-51 (30 touchdowns and 14-17 field goals).

The Tide is tops in the league in Red Zone defense, permitting scores on just 62.5 per cent opportunities by opponents (10-16 with six touchdowns and four field goals). Auburn is 11th, allowing scores on 37-42 tripes (88.1 per cent), 27 touchdowns and 10 field goals.

Alabama has a slight lead in sacks, 23-20, while the Tide has suffered 14 sacks, the Tigers 28.

Bama is second in the league in time of possession, 32:39, Auburn 11th, 27:37.

Individually, Alabama's Trent Richardson leads the SEC in rushing (125.5 yards per game) with Auburn's Michael Dyer second (108.5). Richardson also leads the league in touchdowns with 22 and scoring at 12 points per game.

The Tide's A.J. McCarron is third in the league in passing, 201.5 yards per game.

Bama's Marquis Maze is third in the conference in receptions (52) and sixth in average receiving yards per game (55.4). Maze is second in the SEC in kickoff returns (28.5 yards per return) and second in punt returns (12.5).

Richardson is first on the league in all-purpose yards (160.7 per game) and Maze fourth (118.8).